Highlanders speak on abandoned game ‘match official’, crowd violence

Highlanders Football Club who face disciplinary action over the abandoned match against traditional rivals Dynamos have released a statement on the events over the weekend.

Highlanders Fans PIC: Highlanders FC website

In a statement sent out by CEO Nhlanhla Dube the club acknowledged the concern over, Thomas Kusosa, the match official at the centre of the unrest:

We are aware of and understand the concerns of our fans regarding the almost consistent deployment of a particular match official to officiate at matches featuring our club.

The statement also made reference to the issues around o the legitimacy of the goal Kusosa allowed to stand.

The statement then goes onto call the behaviour that resulted in the premature end of the match”inexcusable and as such we condemn the unfortunate behavior in the strongest of terms and dissociate the club from all forms of misconduct”

Highlanders Football Club categorically stands unequivocally opposed to all forms of disruptive behavior occurring before, during and after football games. Our club regards missile throwing, pitch invasion and other acts that disrupt the smooth proceedings of football matches as abhorrent. It is our sincere belief that true football fans and genuine Highlanders F.C followers want to see fairness in the game and understand the cost of disruptive behavior even when they do not agree with a call made by match officials.

It is our sincere belief that those who threw missiles and invaded the pitch are not genuine Highlanders fans we urge our fans to protect the image of their club, interests of the sponsors, and partners and all stakeholders at all times.

Highlanders were summoned before the Premier Soccer League over the issue and will expect sanctions over the tie that ended 3 minutes before halftime.